2.1.1 Narrative
May 23 – 27, 2011
OSC Musante onsite this week.
This week ERRS:
-Continued screening plant operations.
-Continued water conveyance system operations.
-Continued site-wide road improvements and maintenance.
-Continued dust control program using water for dust suppression.
-Completed construction of access roads on north side of mesa to the TLDA, TSDA, and Arroyo areas.
-Completed installation of liner materials in repository.
-Began placement of liner cover soil.
-Began excavation and stockpiling of AML repository to create access to upper slope area below mine opening. Stockpiled materials were coated with soil sealant and covered with visqueen to prevent migration.
-Began procurement of trailers to house nearby residents during temporary relocation.
START provided engineering design implementation support, conducted repository liner QC testing performed air sampling as part of the effluent dust sampling program, and performed radiation surveys as needed.
May 28 – 30
No work performed. An extended weekend break was taken for the holiday because site workers have only had one day off per week since the end of March.
May 31 – June 4, 2011
OSC Zuroski onsite this week to cover for OSC Musante.
This week ERRS:
-Continued screening plant operations.
-Continued water conveyance system operations.
-Continued site-wide road improvements and maintenance.
-Continued dust control program using water for dust suppression.
-Completed placement of liner cover soil.
-Completed excavation and stockpiling of AML repository.
-Began moving stockpiled AML materials into repository.
-Began excavation on upper slope area below mine opening.
-Demarcated work zones in valley floor on north side of mesa (TLDA, TSDA, Arroyo).
-Began construction of a staging area for excavated soils in the TLDA.
-Began excavation of soils in small wash adjacent to the TSDA.
-Took delivery of temporary relocation trailers and set-up services at trailer parks.
START provided engineering design implementation support, performed air sampling as part of the effluent dust sampling program, and performed radiation surveys as needed to delineate work zones.
2.1.2 Response Actions to Date
In April 2010, the ERRS contractor was mobilized to stabilize unconsolidated radioactive tailings at the site. A soil sealant was applied over the waste piles to prevent wind and water erosion, and fencing was erected around the piles to restrict access. An Action Memorandum for a time-critical removal action at the site was approved in September 2010. In November 2010, the ERRS contractor was mobilized to the site to improve the access road up to the top of Oljato Mesa. Between November 2010 and March 2011, archaeological and biological surveys were performed across all areas expected to be impacted by removal activities. The START contractor developed engineering design plans for the repository. OSC Musante participated in Oljato Chapter meetings to provide updates on site progress to the community. Mobilization for removal activities and site setup began the week of March 28, 2011. Construction of the repository began the week of April 4, 2011, and has been the main work activity to date.
2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
EPA to date has been unable to identify any existing PRPs. EPA will continue to analyze the voluminous responses to the information requests it sent to numerous parties associated with mining in general on the Navajo Reservation. Because of the urgency of this removal, EPA is proceeding with a fund-lead action. EPA will continue to review the information referenced above to determine whether viable and liable parties may be identified, and will pursue recovery of the removal costs if appropriate.
2.1.4 Progress Metrics
There are no progress metrics to report at this time. Off-site disposal is not planned for this removal. Uranium tailing wastes at the Site will be transferred to the on-site repository. Total volumes of waste moved into the repository may be reported in future POLREPs.
Waste Stream |
Medium |
Quantity |
Manifest # |
Treatment |
Disposal |
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